 category lists the question of social precedence both within and without the nobility is a tricky one in the flanaess though the precise order of rank differs from culture to culture the below is considered the most common align center style text-align center; - imperial royalty - office holders - &nbsp; - royalty - heads of state - office holders - &nbsp; - dependent royalty and heads of state - office holders - &nbsp; - independent nobility and lords mayor of free cities - office holders - &nbsp; - greater nobility - major clergy - lords mayor of great cities - free lords - &nbsp; - lesser nobility - guild masters - clergy - great knights - lords mayor of towns - military officers - &nbsp; - lesser knights - petty clergy - sages - minor officials - landed gentry - wealthy merchant gentlemen - freeholders - petty lords lairds - &nbsp; - esquires - master craftsmen - property-owning merchants and tradesmen - soc-men large land owners - heads of small communities - gentlemen - scholars - &nbsp; - petty landlords - merchants - craftsmen - tradesmen - freemen - professional soldiers - village elders - &nbsp; - mercenaries - students - laborers - masterless men - apprentices - bondsmen - indentured servants - beggars and vagabonds - slaves 